|
Ron Rash, Western Carolina University's newly-appointed Parris
Distinguished Professor in Appalachian Cultural Studies, examines
some artifacts from the John Parris estate now in the Mountain
Heritage Center collection.
By Rose Hooper
Although he has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Ron Rash
said he is equally honored to be named the first John A. Parris
Jr. and Dorothy Luxton Parris Distinguished Professor in Appalachian
Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University.
Another recently-announced honor came his way when the Appalachian
Writer's Association awarded his novel, "One Foot in Eden,"
Book of the Year.
"It was my first novel, so the award was prestigious to me,"
said Rash, who comes to Western from the University of South Carolina,
where he served as visiting writer in the graduate creative writing
program.
The book also won Foreword Magazine's Gold Medal for Best Literary
Novel of 2002. Rash is scheduled to embark upon a national book
tour when the paperback edition is published by Picador Press
in February.
On campus – in Room 402 Coulter – with a window view
of the mountains he writes about, Rash is in the middle of editing
his second novel, "Saints at the River."
Author of two collections of short stories and three collections
of poetry, Rash's book of poetry "Raising the Dead"
garnered the Pulitzer nomination.
A poet, author and novelist spanning several genres, Rash describes
his writing as "just all over the place."
But it's "in keeping with Appalachian literature," he
said, "because Appalachian authors traditionally write in
more than one style." Among his favorites are Robert Morgan,
Fred Chappell, Lee Smith and Kay Byer.
With his versatility Rash should make an immediate impact on the
work already under way at WCU in the area of Appalachian cultural
studies by faculty, students and staff in a variety of academic
disciplines, said Curtis Wood, WCU professor of history who chaired
the professorship search committee.
"We had an excellent pool of applicants for the Parris Professorship,
including many of the best people in the field of Appalachian
studies," Wood said.
"We're fortunate to attract an individual of Ron's stature.
He's an accomplished poet, novelist and teacher, and is a powerful
voice of and for the region," said Wood.
Rash called the position "a job perfect for my interests;
I'm interested in not only literature, but all aspects of Appalachian
culture."
He is working with the Mountain Heritage Center staff on setting
up a new series of performances, reading and lectures highlighting
Appalachian culture. However, his home base will be the department
of English where Brian Railsback, head of the department, said,
"Ron Rash strengthens our department's existing connection
to Appalachian studies and literature.
"He is an important part of our desire to be connected to
the region and he is a major step ahead for us as we build a professional
writing program of national stature. I am very pleased that he
is teaching a freshman seminar as his first class at Western.
He is willing to pitch in wherever we need him and therefore fits
into the department's teaching culture. Ron is absolutely first-rate,"
said Railsback.
"The first thing that struck me about Western was that everybody
made me feel at home the moment I stepped on campus," said
Rash, who holds a bachelor's degree in English from Gardner-Webb
College and a master's degree in English from Clemson University.
"I'm also struck by Western's emphasis on teaching because
I am someone who loves teaching."
The $500,000 professorship was made possible through the estate
of the late John and Dorothy Parris of Sylva, who were longtime
supporters of the university. It is augmented by matching funds
provided by the state and the C.D. Spangler Foundation's Challenge
Grant for Endowed Distinguished Professorships.
John Parris, who died in 1999, was recognized most readily in
his later years for his "Roaming the Mountains" newspaper
columns in the Asheville Citizen-Times and for his books on the
mountains and their people. He also led an illustrious earlier
life as an internationally-read correspondent in New York City
and in wartime London.
Parris had a long affiliation with WCU, covering the university's
early athletics program as a young newspaper correspondent. He
helped establish the university's journalism studies program and
assisted in developing the first Board of Visitors.
He championed the establishment of a center to preserve the traditions
and cultures of the WNC mountains, which led to the founding of
the Mountain Heritage Center at the university, and was recipient
of the first Mountain Heritage Award, presented annually by the
university as part of its Mountain Heritage Day
celebration.
Rash said he is looking forward to helping uphold the legacy of
one of Western North Carolina's most beloved writers.
"I am a great admirer of John Parris' writing, and, when
I was growing up, read his column ‘Roaming the Mountains,'"
he said. "His deep love and immense understanding of his
native region are an inspiration for me. Since both my father
and my mother's family have deep roots in the North Carolina mountains,
this new position is a homecoming of sorts," said Rash, who
has been coming to Jackson County to trout fish since he was 18.
"Most of my work is set in South or North Carolina, the two
places where my family has lived, worked, loved and died for more
than 200 years," said Rash, who quoted Eudora Welty: "One
place understood helps us understand all other places better."
In reference to regional writers who have made the "regional
universe," Rash said, "They have made their world resonate
in the worlds of others. I can think of no greater ambition for
a writer."
When people ask him if he is really from WNC, Rash said all he
has to do is open his mouth.
"I've never lost my accent," said this husband to Ann
and father of 16-year-old Caroline and14-year-old James.
|
